DLH/GCH Split Stay?

[DisneylandFan22]

We haven’t stayed onsite in about 11 years. We are going in early October for OBB. Driving up Saturday, OBB Sunday, then in parks Monday and Tuesday, and drive back Wednesday. I was planning on DLH but it was sold out for most of the dates. So I went crazy and booked GCH (premium view which was the cheapest available) for Sunday-Wednesday. That leaves Saturday night. GCH has a standard view available and DLH has a deluxe view available. My first thought was to book DLH so I can save a little bit of money and we can experience the headboards and pool (we are fans of water slides). Distance to the parks wouldn’t matter because it would be a hotel day on Saturday. But thinking it over I am worried that the pool might be overcrowded (11 years ago on a Friday we were about the only ones there) and that switching hotels on Sunday before the OBB at 3 PM might be a pain. I am also wondering if there is any wow factor driving into the GCH that we might be missing. This is something special for the family and I am probably keeping it a surprise. We have never stayed at GCH but like the magic and theming of DLH.

 

[Pluto468]

We just did a split stay with Best Western and DLH. Hotel switching IS a pain. More than I remembered when I came up with the split stay plan. It took us a few hours.

If you were at GC on Saturday night woud you end up doing a room change, or stay in the same room for all of your nights?

Disneyland Hotel is really nice and if you think your family would like it, the split stay may be worth it. I can't imagine the pool will be too crowded on an October Saturday. We used the pools in the morning and they weren't crowded at all, and that was during very hot and busy July days.

Keep checking for the room you want at GC. I checked the website like 4 times a day and did end up getting the rooms I wanted. You have plenty of time between now and October

 

[DLgal]

I'd book the standard at GCH and hope for some pixe dust that will allow you to keep the same room. Worst case, you have to store your bags for a few hours. In my experience, in this situation they will try to get you a ready room as early as possible.

Staying at DLH for just one night just to save a little money isn't really worth the hassle. And the pool DOES get very crowded, especially in the afternoons on weekends, as October has a tendency to be quite hot. It would be much more relaxing to chill at the GCH pool while you wait for your room to be ready.

 

[DisneylandFan22]

I'd book the standard at GCH and hope for some pixe dust that will allow you to keep the same room. Worst case, you have to store your bags for a few hours. In my experience, in this situation they will try to get you a ready room as early as possible.

Staying at DLH for just one night just to save a little money isn't really worth the hassle. And the pool DOES get very crowded, especially in the afternoons on weekends, as October has a tendency to be quite hot. It would be much more relaxing to chill at the GCH pool while you wait for your room to be ready.

I took this advice and booked a standard view at DCA for the Saturday night. What do you think is the best strategy to try to avoid having to change rooms with some pixie dust? We have standard view the first night and then pool view the next 3.

 

[gatechfan99]

I just did this last week. Had DVC points for a Grand Californian stay for 3 nights and then moved to DLH for 2 nights. It wasn't too hard, we had them store our luggage in morning, went to park, and then came back in evening and moved to DLH. Also, I checked my texts, our DLH room was ready at 2:13 in the afternoon with no special requests for an early arrival. As far as the pool question, DLH pool was very crowded in the afternoon but that's the middle of summer and we still found a couple of chairs available.

 

[DLgal]

I took this advice and booked a standard view at DCA for the Saturday night. What do you think is the best strategy to try to avoid having to change rooms with some pixie dust? We have standard view the first night and then pool view the next 3.

I would have them link the reservations together and when you check in, do it in person and remind them about the second reservation. You may get a front desk CM who will hook you up. Not saying you should expect it, but they tend to oversell the standard room category and are often looking to bump people up to open more of those, and your situation is an ideal one. If they can't work some magic, mention that you'd like the second room to be ready as early as possible, to minimize your amount of time being homeless.

 

[Pluto468]

I took this advice and booked a standard view at DCA for the Saturday night. What do you think is the best strategy to try to avoid having to change rooms with some pixie dust? We have standard view the first night and then pool view the next 3.

I was in this situation before our trip. I called for 3 days in a row asking to be in 1 room instead of having to switch, but there was nothing they could do. I also went to the front desk at check in and even offered to change room types in order not to switch but they were full. It never hurts to call and ask, but just wanted to share my experience. I'd keep an eye on the website and see if your Saturday night opens up and you could just add it to your reservation. If you DO switch, it's pretty easy. You pack up your things and call Bell services, they will collect your bags. Once you're in the new room, call again and they will bring your bags to you.

 

[brentm77]

I took this advice and booked a standard view at DCA for the Saturday night. What do you think is the best strategy to try to avoid having to change rooms with some pixie dust? We have standard view the first night and then pool view the next 3.

You might want to consider just moving the entire stay to standard view. I have had standard view rooms that I absolutely love. Meaning, I looked out at beautiful quiet trees towards the hotel entrance. It was serene and hard to believe we were in the middle of a crowded theme park area. The pool is fine, but its a loud area and the view isn't worth the money in my opinion. Just something to consider instead of stressing about getting a free upgrade for the one night.

 

[pharmama]

You might want to consider just moving the entire stay to standard view. I have had standard view rooms that I absolutely love. Meaning, I looked out at beautiful quiet trees towards the hotel entrance. It was serene and hard to believe we were in the middle of a crowded theme park area. The pool is fine, but its a loud area and the view isn't worth the money in my opinion. Just something to consider instead of stressing about getting a free upgrade for the one night.

I think the problem is the same room type isn't available for both stays, not so much that they really want the premium room. The original post indicated they booked premium view because it was the cheapest available for Sun-Wed but then sounds like only Standard view is available for Saturday.

I agree with others who said to keep checking as well. I would not be surprised if at some point a reservation for the same room category will show up for your whole stay.

 

[DisneylandFan22]

I think the problem is the same room type isn't available for both stays, not so much that they really want the premium room. The original post indicated they booked premium view because it was the cheapest available for Sun-Wed but then sounds like only Standard view is available for Saturday.

I agree with others who said to keep checking as well. I would not be surprised if at some point a reservation for the same room category will show up for your whole stay.

Yes, this is correct. Thank you for the suggestion!

 

[DLgal]

You might want to consider just moving the entire stay to standard view. I have had standard view rooms that I absolutely love. Meaning, I looked out at beautiful quiet trees towards the hotel entrance. It was serene and hard to believe we were in the middle of a crowded theme park area. The pool is fine, but its a loud area and the view isn't worth the money in my opinion. Just something to consider instead of stressing about getting a free upgrade for the one night.

I mean, I completely agree with this. The standard view rooms at GCH are the best located ones in the resort in my opinion. I only ever book standard or Courtyard view here. I always love the room location (it's always close to the lobby and elevators) and the front of the hotel is a lovely view, especially around sunset. The babbling brook out front adds a relaxing vibe when you are on the balcony or have the door open.

 

[bennifer]

When we went in June we stayed for 2 nights at DLH and 1 at GCH. Changing rooms wasn't a huge hassle for us because we often do split stays in WDW, but I don't think I'd ever do it again at DLR. Stay at the GCH for the entire time! You won't regret it!

 

[DisneylandFan22]

I mean, I completely agree with this. The standard view rooms at GCH are the best located ones in the resort in my opinion. I only ever book standard or Courtyard view here. I always love the room location (it's always close to the lobby and elevators) and the front of the hotel is a lovely view, especially around sunset. The babbling brook out front adds a relaxing vibe when you are on the balcony or have the door open.

I definitely would have done standard view the entire time if I could. I usually don’t pay extra to change views. It just wasn’t available for the dates. Hopefully we can work it out to stay in the same room the entire trip. I am excited about staying here for the first time.

 

[DLgal]

I definitely would have done standard view the entire time if I could. I usually don’t pay extra to change views. It just wasn’t available for the dates. Hopefully we can work it out to stay in the same room the entire trip. I am excited about staying here for the first time.

Did you book room only? Definitely keep checking and trying to rebook the entire stay as standard view. You can keep looking up to 5 days before check in. People will cancel.

 

[DisneylandFan22]

Did you book room only? Definitely keep checking and trying to rebook the entire stay as standard view. You can keep looking up to 5 days before check in. People will cancel.

Yes, it is room only. I will keep looking. To rebook do I call in if I see availability? I already paid for the first night completely and then a deposit for the next 3.

 

[DLgal]

Yes, it is room only. I will keep looking. To rebook do I call in if I see availability? I already paid for the first night completely and then a deposit for the next 3.

Yeah, if you see it, they can rebook it and apply your 2 deposits towards the new reservation. Or, you can book it yourself and then cancel the other 2.

 

[pharmama]

If its getting close to your dates (but not so close you lose the other deposits) I would just book it when you see it online and cancel the others after. I've had rooms disappear on me twice when I tried to call as others snapped them up-in one case it even disappeared while the agent was trying to change it for me. Since you know it's likely a cancellation with just the one room available it can go fast, though of course that's not always the case.

 

[TikiRob]

We check in today to DLH for one night before switching to VGC for 3 nights. I’ll report back in 48 hours!

 

[TikiRob]

We check in today to DLH for one night before switching to VGC for 3 nights. I’ll report back in 48 hours!

The switch was perfect. Bell services at both resorts were great. I’d just recommend packing wisely for one night so you aren’t unpacking for one night.

 

[Ksdisney22]

I have done both,
advantage to split: experience both properties, DLH does have some unique theming for the room itself, pool is much bigger and slides are very fun.
advantage to staying at DCH: lobby at DCH is massive, you can spend hours and still not absorb it all so its a great hotel day stay b4/after pool. Also car. Two entirely different lots, would avoid moving cars.

If you are planning another trip, especially since driving and unless you are planning to go off property for dinner, I would stay at GCH. I have also had luck checking and rechecking for my room type (and discounts!) and getting exactly what i wanted.

If you are driving, valet at GCH is nice, pulling up to the craftsman stained glass doors is awesome. I am biased because I did this when they opened and pulled up with Helena Bonhamme Carter and her children getting into their blacked out SUV. Was one of those 'glimpse' moments where I was like is that???? and the valet was like.. sure was!!